Japanese consumer prices rose 0.7 percent in July, wages have not yet risen

Picture: Japanese customers yet to feel benefits of inflation in their daily lives

" Japanese consumer prices increased 0.7 per cent last month from a year earlier....The higher prices are causing households more pain than gain because Japanese wages have barely changed. Unless companies boost compensation, consumers may not feel the benefits of inflation"

Source: Higher energy prices push Japan's CPI up

By Takashi Nakamichi

The Wall Street Journal

The Weekend Australian Newspaper

August 31- September 1st 2013, page 28